SAS Community Voices

My years at SAS taught me that anything is possible. Without the SAS pioneering spirit, I may not have even imagined starting a literary magazine to support other teen writers, researching a contemporary film through the AP Capstone program, or becoming a high school teaching assistant.

SAS did an amazing job prepping me for the outside world. Whether it was through my AP Courses prepping me for college or Interim Semester exposing me to cultures out of my reach. SAS has given me a perspective on the world I wouldn't have had otherwise.

Mr. Clemens is hands down the sole reason I stuck to film all four years of high school. There has never been anyone as encouraging and important in my life, aside from my dad, as Mr. Clemens. He is the main reason I’m in film today.

I pretty much grew up in Singapore American School. I lived so close to school and had a great community of friends who lived nearby as well. And when I was a student, SAS really pushed me academically and encouraged me to chase what I loved doing—dance.

SAS takes a bunch of people who are in many ways orphans of the world and puts them together,” he explained. You’re given this perspective at SAS that is actually put into you—and the only way you ever see it working or manifesting is by going somewhere else.

In the classroom, on the court, or in the field, I want my students and athletes to know that I truly care for them. I will encourage them, help them, and push them every chance I get. I want them to have a space where they can feel safe, supported, and trusted to be themselves.

The lessons learned at SAS and in Singapore have always stayed with me, a testament not just to the quality of the teachers, the institution, and the country, but a validation of a life many of our parents chose with trepidation.

Beyond the classroom, I think SAS prepares its students for life by presenting us with so many opportunities and encouraging us to show initiative, seek these out, and develop our passions, as well as giving students many opportunities to grow in leadership.

I think the attitude of being able to go into any situation and know that whether it’s a good experience or a bad experience that there is something to learn from is definitely something I learned from Ms. Van der Linden.

Singapore had changed so much for me but the fact that I was able to show my daughter where I had grown up was the highlight of the trip! And seeing my wonderful friends who I remembered with such fondness.